Materials
Monarch caterpillar Milkweed
Twenty small paper butterflies numbered 1-20 1 yard (1 m) of netting
Two 12" (30 cm) cross stitch hoops Tape
Stapler Yarn
Drawing paper Crayons
Chart paper
Instructions
1. First, make a butterfly cage. The butterfly cage will look like a bag, supported by the two hoops and suspended from the ceiling. Using the stapler, attach the netting to the hoops, remembering to cover the bottom hoop withnetting, too. When you are ready to hang the cage, use the yarn to suspend it from the ceiling.
2. Ask children and parents to look for a monarch caterpillar on milkweed plants near their homes in late August and early September. Bring in the caterpillar as well as some milkweed leaves for the caterpillar to eat and place them in the butterfly cage.
3. Daily, draw pictures to chart how the caterpillar changes in size and enters a chrysalis.
4. When the chrysalis forms, ask the children to predict on a chart "How many days before the caterpillar becomes a butterfly?" Write the predictions on the chart.
5. On the wall near the butterfly cage, each day tape the sequentially numbered butterflies to count the number of days that the caterpillar stays inside the chrysalis.
6. Continue drawing pictures weekly to illustrate how the chrysalis changes.
7. When the monarch emerges, note whether it is male or female.
8. Carry the cage outside to release your butterfly.
